Public health officials across two states are monitoring a measles outbreak that has infected nearly 50 people, a majority of whom are unvaccinated children.
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) reported that 48 cases of measles have been identified over the past three weeks in the South Plains region. Of those, 42 cases have been reported in Gaines County, with additional cases reported in Lynn (one), Terry (three) and Yoakum (two) counties. Thirteen patients have been hospitalized, and all of the cases are unvaccinated or their vaccination status is unknown.
The New Mexico Department of Health reported a measles case involving an unvaccinated teenager in Lea County, which borders Gaines County. The teen had no recent travel or exposure to known cases in Texas. New Mexico reported two measles cases in 2024, which were the first cases reported in the state since 2021.
Gaines County had a nearly 18% vaccine exemption rate among kindergartners in the 2023-’24 school year, according to DSHS statistics. Due to the highly contagious nature of the disease, the DSHS expects additional cases to occur in Gaines County and surrounding communities.
Thirteen of the Texas cases are among children younger than 4 years, 29 cases are among children ages 5-17 years and five cases are among adults. The age of one case is unknown.
“What is happening in west Texas right now is heartbreaking,” said Valerie B. Smith, M.D., M.P.H., FAAP, president of the Texas Pediatric Society (AAP Texas Chapter). “It is the perfect storm of a close-knit community with low vaccination rates and an incredibly contagious illness such as measles. Unfortunately, it is children who suffer the most severe consequences.”
The AAP and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend children receive the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine at age 12-15 months and again at 4-6 years. Children can receive the second dose earlier if it is at least 28 days after the first dose. Each MMR dose lowers the risk of infection and severity of illness, if infected.
Residents in the South Plains region should see their pediatrician or go to the South Plains Public Health District Clinic at 704 Hobbs Highway in Seminole to get vaccinated.
“I am so proud of my colleagues and public health leaders in the area who are working diligently to stop the spread of measles in their community,” Dr. Smith said. “As always, pediatricians have stepped up in a moment of need to support children and families.”
The measles virus is transmitted by contact with infectious droplets or by airborne spread when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. Measles virus can remain infectious in the air up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area.
Illness onset (high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes) begins a week or two after someone is exposed. A few days later, a rash breaks out as flat, red spots on the face and then spreads down the neck and trunk to the rest of the body. A person is contagious about four days before the rash appears to four days after.
Other measles symptoms may include small spots in the cheek area inside the mouth, diarrhea and ear infection. Measles can lead to pneumonia, swelling of the brain, deafness, intellectual disability and death.
Measles was rare in the United States, but outbreaks are occurring in areas where vaccination rates have fallen. Most children who get measles are not up to date on recommended vaccines or are not old enough to get measles vaccine.
The CDC measles website, which is expected to be updated monthly, reports 14 cases of measles as of Feb. 6 in five jurisdictions (Alaska, Georgia, New York City, Rhode Island and Texas). Last year, 285 measles cases (16 outbreaks) were reported by 33 jurisdictions across the United States, according to the CDC. For comparison, 59 measles cases (four outbreaks) were reported in 2023.
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